Understanding Revelation: Perspectives on Christ's Return

 

Summary

In our exploration of the doctrine of the last things, particularly the second coming of Jesus Christ, we delve into the book of Revelation, a text often shrouded in mystery and misinterpretation. Many Christians avoid it due to its complexity and the myriad of interpretations it has inspired. However, it is crucial to approach this book with an open heart and mind, seeking to understand the message God has for us.

Revelation is a part of the biblical canon and deserves our attention. It has been subject to ridicule, not because of its content, but due to the extreme interpretations it has sometimes inspired. As we study this book, we must strive for balance and avoid bringing the scriptures into contempt through our interpretations.

There are three primary schools of thought regarding the interpretation of Revelation: the Preterist, Futurist, and Historicist views. The Preterist view suggests that all prophecies in Revelation were fulfilled by the fourth century, focusing on the early church's persecution. The Futurist view, on the other hand, posits that the events in Revelation are yet to occur, often placing them in a distant future. This view gained popularity in the 19th century and is often associated with the idea of a preliminary rapture of the saints. The Historicist view sees Revelation as a prophecy of the history of the church from the first to the second coming of Christ, with some variations focusing on the church's history or a continuous historical process.

Each interpretation offers a different perspective on the book's message, and it is essential to evaluate them critically. The Historicist view, particularly the spiritual historicist perspective, emphasizes the principles governing the church's life and history, rather than specific historical events. This approach encourages us to understand the forces opposing God's kingdom and to find comfort and strength in the book's teachings.

As we continue to study Revelation, let us remember that it is a book of comfort and consolation, helping us to understand current events and face the future with confidence. May we approach it with humility, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to illuminate its truths.

Key Takeaways:

- The book of Revelation is often avoided due to its complexity and the diverse interpretations it has inspired. However, it is a vital part of the biblical canon and deserves careful study to understand the message God has for us. [00:44]

- The Preterist view interprets Revelation as a prophecy fulfilled by the fourth century, focusing on the early church's persecution. This perspective can remind us of the enduring nature of God's promises and the church's resilience through history. [06:33]

- The Futurist view sees Revelation as a prophecy of future events, often associated with the idea of a preliminary rapture. This interpretation challenges us to consider the unfolding of God's plan and our role in it. [09:07]

- The Historicist view, particularly the spiritual historicist perspective, emphasizes the principles governing the church's life and history. This approach encourages us to focus on the spiritual battles we face and the ultimate victory of God's kingdom. [33:48]

- Revelation is a book of comfort and consolation, offering insights into the forces opposing God's kingdom and providing strength to face the future with confidence. It calls us to rely on the Holy Spirit for understanding and guidance. [39:47]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Revelation
- [00:44] - Avoidance and Misinterpretation
- [01:33] - The Problem of Ridicule
- [03:07] - Approach with Open Hearts
- [04:30] - Overview of Revelation
- [05:05] - Three Schools of Interpretation
- [06:14] - The Preterist View
- [09:07] - The Futurist View
- [12:03] - Early Church and Futurism
- [15:23] - The 70th Week of Daniel
- [19:29] - Basis of Futurist Teaching
- [25:56] - The Historicist View
- [27:26] - Church Historical vs. Continuous Historical
- [33:48] - Spiritual Historicist Perspective
- [39:47] - Conclusion and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 1:19 - "Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."
2. Daniel 9:24-27 - The prophecy of the seventy weeks.
3. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 - The man of lawlessness and the day of the Lord.

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Observation Questions:

1. What are the three main schools of interpretation for the book of Revelation mentioned in the sermon? ([05:05])

2. How does the Preterist view interpret the events described in Revelation? ([06:14])

3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the "70th week" in the Futurist view? ([15:23])

4. What does the Historicist view emphasize about the book of Revelation? ([26:15])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the Preterist view of Revelation provide comfort to believers by highlighting the church's resilience through history? ([06:33])

2. In what ways does the Futurist view challenge believers to consider their role in God's unfolding plan? ([09:07])

3. How does the Historicist view, particularly the spiritual historicist perspective, encourage believers to focus on spiritual battles rather than specific historical events? ([33:48])

4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping believers understand the book of Revelation, according to the sermon? ([39:47])

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Application Questions:

1. The sermon suggests approaching Revelation with an open heart and mind. How can you cultivate an open heart and mind when studying complex biblical texts? ([03:25])

2. Reflect on a time when you avoided a challenging part of Scripture. What steps can you take to engage with difficult passages more intentionally? ([01:33])

3. Considering the Preterist view, how can the history of the early church inspire you to remain steadfast in your faith during times of persecution or challenge? ([06:33])

4. The Futurist view emphasizes future events. How does this perspective influence your understanding of your current role in God's plan? ([09:07])

5. The Historicist view highlights spiritual principles. Identify a spiritual battle you are currently facing. How can the teachings of Revelation provide comfort and guidance? ([33:48])

6. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit for understanding and guidance in your daily life, especially when facing uncertainty about the future? ([39:47])

7. Revelation is described as a book of comfort and consolation. In what ways can you find strength and confidence in its teachings to face your future challenges? ([39:47])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Complexity of Revelation
Revelation is a book that many Christians shy away from due to its complexity and the diverse interpretations it has inspired. However, it is an integral part of the biblical canon and deserves our attention and study. Approaching Revelation with an open heart and mind allows us to seek the message God has for us. It is important to avoid extreme interpretations that can bring the scriptures into contempt. Instead, we should strive for a balanced understanding, recognizing that Revelation is a book of comfort and consolation, offering insights into the forces opposing God's kingdom and providing strength to face the future with confidence. [00:44]

Revelation 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near."

Reflection: What preconceived notions or fears do you have about studying Revelation, and how can you approach this book with a fresh perspective this week?


Day 2: The Enduring Nature of God's Promises
The Preterist view interprets Revelation as a prophecy fulfilled by the fourth century, focusing on the early church's persecution. This perspective reminds us of the enduring nature of God's promises and the church's resilience throughout history. By understanding the historical context of Revelation, we can appreciate how God's faithfulness has been demonstrated over time. This view encourages us to reflect on the ways God has been faithful in our own lives and how His promises continue to hold true today. [06:33]

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV): "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in your life. How can this memory strengthen your trust in His promises today?


Day 3: Anticipating the Unfolding of God's Plan
The Futurist view sees Revelation as a prophecy of future events, often associated with the idea of a preliminary rapture. This interpretation challenges us to consider the unfolding of God's plan and our role in it. By anticipating future events, we are encouraged to live with a sense of urgency and purpose, aligning our lives with God's will. This perspective invites us to reflect on how we can actively participate in God's plan and be prepared for what is to come. [09:07]

1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (ESV): "For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'There is peace and security,' then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to align your life more closely with God's plan and be prepared for His future unfolding?


Day 4: Understanding Spiritual Battles and Victory
The Historicist view, particularly the spiritual historicist perspective, emphasizes the principles governing the church's life and history. This approach encourages us to focus on the spiritual battles we face and the ultimate victory of God's kingdom. By understanding the forces opposing God's kingdom, we can find comfort and strength in Revelation's teachings. This perspective invites us to reflect on the spiritual challenges we encounter and how we can rely on God's strength to overcome them. [33:48]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: Identify a spiritual battle you are currently facing. How can you rely on God's strength and the teachings of Revelation to find victory in this situation?


Day 5: Seeking Guidance from the Holy Spirit
Revelation is a book of comfort and consolation, offering insights into the forces opposing God's kingdom and providing strength to face the future with confidence. It calls us to rely on the Holy Spirit for understanding and guidance. As we study Revelation, we are reminded of the importance of humility and seeking the Spirit's illumination of its truths. This perspective encourages us to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide us in our understanding and application of God's word. [39:47]

John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."

Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your study of Revelation and illuminate its truths in your life today?

Quotes


In our consideration of the biblical doctrine of the last things and especially the doctrine of the second coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we come now to a general consideration of the message and the teaching of the book of the Revelation or if you prefer it the apocalypse. [00:00:10]

There is nothing more tragic, it seems to me, than the way in which so many Christian people, because of difficulties and because of differences and because of disputes, simply avoid the problem altogether. That is true, as we've reminded one another, of the entire study of these prophetic matters. [00:01:09]

There are so many who never even read it, their argument being, well, there are so many different views, and they feel that certain explanations have been so fantastic that they rarely can't be bothered. Indeed, I've often observed, and it has always seemed to me to be something very regrettable. [00:01:37]

We must surely again be very concerned that our Spirits should be right and in order as we approach this subject. We don't come as disputants to a dispute; we don't come in a legal Spirit to fight a case, not to present a case. We don't come simply to prove that we've always been right and somebody else wrong. [00:03:00]

The Preterist view or interpretation of the Book of Revelation... is a teaching which tells us that everything that is prophesied in the book of Revelation has already happened, that indeed it had all happened by the beginning of the fourth Century of the Christian era. [00:06:09]

The Futurist view teaches that the prophecy that you find in the Book of Revelation from the beginning of chapter 4 right to the end of the book has not happened in any sense so far. It is all going to happen in that last 70th week of seven years which lies still in some unknown future. [00:15:43]

The Historicist does neither of those, but it teaches that the Book of Revelation is a prophecy of the history of the kingdom of God from the first Advent to the second Advent. Now there are subdivisions here again. There is one view which is generally called The Church historical view. [00:26:04]

The spiritual historicist or Some people prefer to call it the philosophy of history as outlined in the Book of Revelation. Now what that means is this: that this is not a book which is meant to teach us some continuous historic process in detail. [00:33:48]

It is an account of the principles which govern the life and the history of the Christian church between the two advents. It is an unfolding of the history of the kingdom of God to its ultimate climate, not so much describing particular things that have happened and are going to happen. [00:34:56]

The real function of the book is to show us in principle the kind of life that the Christian church is to live and to endure here on Earth. She is subject always to criticism from the political power. Now there's your first beast in Revelation. [00:35:46]

We must look at the scriptures which they quote and evaluate them and come to some conclusion with respect to them. May I again therefore appeal to you to read and to reread the book, keep these big ideas in your mind. The introduction is fairly simple, chapters 1, 2, and 3, 4, and five. [00:39:01]

We shall all realize that this book is a book which is most precious to the believer, a book full of comfort and of consolation at this very hour, a book which enables us to understand things that are happening today and to face the unknown future with calmness and with Equanimity. [00:39:47]

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Transcript
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